Buxton eye FA Cup success following frustrating week

The Bucks host Stafford Rangers on Saturday in the second qualifying round, hoping to get back to winning ways in a week which has seen them pick up one league points from two matches.

"Through our season you're going to lose games. You just have to dust yourself off and react from it," Buxton assistant manager Mark Ward said this week.

"We've got to respect that when we do switch off, no matter who you're playing at this level, they can hurt you.

"It's just about making sure that for 90 minutes we keep that concentration and that discipline."

While Buxton dropped to seventh place this week, Northern Premier League rivals Stafford sit third-bottom of the table.

They picked up their first point of the season at Grantham Town on Tuesday evening following defeats to Matlock Town and Ashton United.

Their only win so far this season has come in the FA Cup, a 3-2 success at Midland Football League outfit Worcester City.

Buxton progressed in the cup following a comprehensive 7-0 victory over Belper Town.

Saturday's contest at the Tarmac Silverlands Stadium kicks off at 3pm, with the winning side pocketing £3,375 in prize money.

The losers will collect £1,125.

It has been a frustrating week for Buxton after twice they were pegged back from winning positions - conceding four goals in the final 11 minutes of their two contests.

On Saturday Reece King's finish and Diego De Girolamo's penalty handed the Bucks a 2-0 lead at home to Whitby Town.

However, two goals in as many minutes from Marcus Giles and Jacob Hazel saw the visitors earn a share of the spoils.

History repeated itself on Tuesday night as Buxton were beaten 2-1 at Nantwich. De Girolamo's sixth-minute goal looked to have secured all three points against strong Northern Premier League opposition at the Weaver Stadium, only for two goals in the dying stages to turn the game on its head.

James Lawrie pulled the Dabbers level in the 86th minute from the pehnalty spot with Joel Stair sealing Buxton's fate two minutes later.